18 February 2013: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has announced that the Government of Denmark has provided US$4 million for the development of clean and sustainable energy in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, the Marshall Islands (RMI), Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The finance has been provided through the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) DOCK mechanism.

According to SPC, proposals from Pacific SIDS, to SIDS DOCK include: improving the efficiency of the power utilities in FSM, Palau and RMI; solar powered internet services for rural health centres in Solomon Islands; solar powered water pumps for Tongan villages; an energy efficiency demonstration house in Tuvalu; and a geothermal project in Vanuatu.

SIDS DOCK is a SIDS–SIDS institutional mechanism that was launched under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2010. There are four partners: the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS); and the Government of Denmark. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the development of a sustainable energy economy within the SIDS. [SPC Press Release] [SIDSDock Website]